Chapter 18 Cardiac Emergencies

Question 1

Key Terms

a blanket term used to represent any symptoms related to lack of oxygen (ischemia) in the heart muscle. Also called “cardiac compromise”

Answer 1

Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS)

Question 2

Key Terms

the condition in which a portion of the myocardium dies as a result of oxygen starvation; often called a heart attack by laypersons

Answer 2

Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI)

Question 3

Key Terms

irregular, gasping breaths that precede apnea and death

Answer 3

Agonal Breathing

Question 4

Key Terms

the dilation, or ballooning, of a weakened section of the wall of an artery

Answer 4

Aneurysm

Question 5

Key Terms

pain in the chest occurring when blood supply to the heart is reduced and a portion of the heart muscle is not receiving enough oxygen

Answer 5

Angina Pectoris

Question 6

Key Terms

a condition in which the heart has ceased generating electrical impulses. Commonly called “flatline”

Answer 6

Asystole

Question 7

Key Terms

when the heart rate is slow, usually less than 60 beats per minute

Answer 7

Bradycardia

Question 8

Key Terms

acute coronary syndrome

Answer 8

Cardiac Compromise

Question 9

Key Terms

actions taken to revive a person by keeping the person’s heart and lungs working

Answer 9

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

Question 10

Key Terms

the heart and the blood vessels

Answer 10

Cardiovascular System

Question 11

Key Terms

the failure of the heart to pump efficiently, leading to excessive blood or fluids in the lungs, the body, or both

Answer 11

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)

Question 12

Key Terms

delivery of an electrical shock to stop the fibrillation of heart muscles and restore a normal heart rhythm

Answer 12

Defibrillation

Question 13

Key Terms

shortness of breath; labored or difficult breathing

Answer 13

Dyspnea

Question 14

Key Terms

a disturbance in heart rate and rhythm

Answer 14

Dysrhythmia

Question 15

Key Terms

swelling resulting from a buildup of fluid in the tissues

Answer 15

Edema

Question 16

Key Terms

blockage of a vessel by a clot or foreign material brought to the site by the blood current

Answer 16

Embolism

Question 17

Key Terms

a medication that dilates the blood vessels

Answer 17

Nitroglycerin

Question 18

Key Terms

blockage, as of an artery, by fatty deposits

Answer 18

Occlusion

Question 19

Key Terms

accumulation of fluid in the feet or ankles

Answer 19

Pedal Edema

Question 20

Key Terms

accumulation of fluid in the lungs

Answer 20

Pulmonary Edema

Question 21

Key Terms

a condition in which the heart’s electrical rhythm remains relatively normal, yet the mechanical pumping activity fails to follow the electrical activity, causing cardiac arrest

Answer 21

Pulseless Electrical Activity (PEA)

Question 22

Key Terms

a cardiac arrest that occurs within 2 hours of the onset of symptoms. The patient may have no prior symptoms of coronary artery disease

Answer 22

Sudden Death

Question 23

Key Terms

when the heart rate is fast, more than 100 beats per minute

Answer 23

Tachycardia

Question 24

Key Terms

a clot formed of blood and plaque attached to the inner wall of an artery or vein

Answer 24

Thrombus

Question 25

Key Terms

a condition in which the heartbeat is quite rapid; rapid enough, ventricular tachycardia will not allow the heart’s chambers to fill with enough blood between beats to produce blood flow sufficient to meet the body’s needs

Answer 25

Ventricular Fibrillation (VF)

Question 26

Short Answer

What position is best for a patient with:

a. Difficulty breathing and a blood pressure of 100/70?
b. Chest pain and a blood pressure of 180/90?

Answer 26

The best positions for the following patients are:

a. For the patient with difficulty breathing and blood pressure 100/70, a sitting-up position as long as the patient tolerates it. If he becomes hypotensive, complains of dizziness, or has diminished mental status, lay the patient back as much as needed.
b. For the patient with chest pain and blood pressure of 180/90, sitting up.

Question 27

Short Answer

Describe how to “clear” a patient before administering a shock.

Answer 27

To “clear” a patient before administering a shock, say “Clear!” in a loud voice. In addition, look carefully at the patient from head to toe to ensure no one is touching the patient and no one is touching anything conductive that is touching the patient.

Question 28

Short Answer

List three safety measures to keep in mind when using an AED.

Answer 28

Three safety measures to keep in mind when using an AED are: (1) Do not touch the patient or anything conductive that is touching the patient when you are analyzing the rhythm or delivering a shock. (2) if the patient’s chest is wet, dry it before applying the pads or delivering a shock. (3) Be sure the patient has no signs of life and no definite pulse before delivering a shock.

Question 29

Short Answer

List the steps in the application of an AED.

Answer 29

Steps in the application of the AED are: (1) Use the appropriate-sized pads and AED (adult or pediatric). (2) Bare the patient’s chest and quickly shave the area, if necessary, where the pads will be placed. (3) Turn on the AED. (4) Attach the monitoring/defibrillation electrode pads to the cables then to the patient. (5) Advise all rescuers, “Stop CPR; we are analyzing.” (6) Once the AED is charged and ready and you have ensured everyone is clear of the patient, deliver the shock as directed by the AED.